Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
418. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to plans to carry out an independent report or analysis of the fire service in Bray, County Wicklow; if so, the details of this proposed analysis; the terms of reference of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13471/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of a fire service in its functional area, including the establishment and maintenance of a fire brigade, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of fire station premises is a statutory function of individual fire authorities under the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for equipment and priority infrastructural projects.
Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. Under this legislation, there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 218 fire stations nationwide, with 16 of these stations being full-time stations, a further 4 are mixed full-time and retained, and 198 retained stations.
My Department was made aware by email in late February 2021 of a proposal to carry out a report/analysis of the provision of fire services in Bray, Co Wicklow. However, it has not been informed of the detail of the proposed analysis or its terms of reference or other documentation in this regard. It is expected that any analysis of fire service provision should have due regard to national standards and guidance set out in the "Keeping Communities Safe" national policy document published in 2013 and take account of support available from adjoining fire services.
